Playing tough early slate, Rustlers drop two games in Idaho

The starting point is here for new Central Wyoming College Rustlers coach Pat Rafferty and his players. CWC is off and running for the 2013-14 basketball campaign.

The Rustlers dropped a 102-95 decision to nationally ranked College of Southern Idaho, then lost to Eastern Utah 70-50 in two games played in Twins Falls, Idaho, last weekend.

Rafferty started his full-time duties at the helm of the program on June 3.

"I think that we are making great progress," Rafferty said. "It's important to have experiences, and it's important to have references points to draw on especially when you have a new group."

Progress

"We did a lot of good things over the weekend," Rafferty said.

College of Southern Idaho is ranked No. 13 in the National Junior College Athletic Association latest poll.

"We had some stretches of play where our execution was outstanding by numerous guys in all areas," Rafferty said. "We had some great stretches of play in all phases of the game."

CWC was in striking distance of pulling off the upset in the season opener.

"It was a tight game with about five minutes to go," Rafferty said.

Rafferty said the two teams were deadlocked then CWC had back-to-back turnovers that lead to 3-point baskets.

"I thought that out of 40 minutes, we played 30 minutes of really good solid basketball," Rafferty said. "Against a really talented team on the road, it's that window of a three- or four -minute stretch that determines the outcome of the game."

"We are still trying to figure out the rotation," Rafferty said. "I don't get too consumed in who starts as much as I do in who finishes ball games."

Positive practices

"We have had a great couple of days of practice," Rafferty said. "They are really starting to buy in and understand things."

The Rustlers compete in a two-day tournament Friday and Saturday in Scottsbluff, Neb.

"I want us to focus on the process," Rafferty said. "I want us to focus on the execution and our purpose of play."

CWC played Friday night against a prep school from Raleigh, N.C.

The Rustlers play at 1 p.m. on Saturday vs. South Plains College of Texas.

South Plains is ranked No. 9 in the national poll.

"South Plains is going to be a similar opponent to Southern Idaho," Rafferty said. "We don't have any easy games. I love that because when we do things well against good teams, we will be able to do it against a lot of people. I don't want to give our guys a false sense of accomplishments because we had some misleading successes."